Tinotenda Hove – A South African court has ordered the immediate deportation of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe after slapping him with fines totalling R600,000, while his cousin, Tobias Matonhodze, has been sentenced to an effective three years in prison.

The ruling brings to an end a case involving serious allegations, including attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and immigration offences.

The magistrate handled the two accused separately during sentencing. Mugabe was fined on two counts. On one charge, relating to pointing what appeared to be a real firearm—later confirmed to be a toy gun—he was fined R400,000 or face a 24-month jail term. On a second count tied to immigration violations, he was fined R200,000 or an alternative 18 months in prison.

The court acknowledged that fines are not typically imposed in immigration-related cases but made an exception due to Mugabe’s financial capacity. The magistrate remarked that he was “lucky” the complainant was not injured. Mugabe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and was ordered to be escorted by authorities directly to the airport for his immediate deportation.

Matonhodze, however, received a custodial sentence for his role. He was convicted of attempted murder, obstructing justice by hiding the firearm, and unlawful possession of both a firearm and ammunition.

The court imposed multiple sentences, including three years for the most serious charge, but ordered them to run concurrently, resulting in an effective three-year prison term. He will be deported after serving his sentence.

In passing judgment, the magistrate stressed that crimes involving violence and illegal firearms usually attract lengthy prison terms. However, the court said Matonhodze’s punishment was reduced due to mitigating factors, including his guilty plea and the fact that the victim had been compensated.

The court ultimately described the outcome as a balanced decision, combining accountability with elements of leniency and restorative justice.